A Fraudulent Encounter by Valerie J. Clarizio

Author:Valerie J. Clarizio
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romantic Suspense, Second Chance Romance, Office Romance, Law Enforcement Romance, Steamy Romance
Publisher: VJC Books
Published: 2022-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Natasha pulled into the parking lot at work to find Dax’s city issued SUV already parked in his usual spot. Just the sight of it, the reminder of him, warmed every cell of her being, even though the frigid temperature outside hovered around fifteen degrees.

He hadn’t spent the whole night at her house last Thursday, he’d left about midnight, but the sultry scent of leather he left behind on her sheets made it seem as if he was present the entire time—throughout the whole, long Christmas holiday weekend until he came over again last night. He’d called her several times on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from his brother’s house in southeast Wisconsin, but it wasn’t the same. She’d missed his touch—the feel of him. He’d drove home from his brother’s house on Monday and straight to hers. After warming her heart, soul, and bed, he’d left just after midnight again. Maybe someday they’d be in a position where he’d stay so she could wake up in his strong, comforting hold.

She cut the engine, grabbed her purse, and keyed her way through the front door. Once in the lobby, she glanced to the right toward the police department, fought the urge to go over there to his office, and instead veered left and keyed her way into the finance department. It was dark. Her staff hadn’t arrived yet. That wasn’t a surprise; she was usually the first one to arrive on her side of the building.

The phone on her desk rang as she entered her office. Seeing Dax’s extension number flash on the screen had her lurching forward to snatch up the receiver. “Hello.”

“Good morning.” His voice carried a hint of cheer, which was much unlike him in the workplace. He was usually all business.

An awkward pause filled the air. What in heaven did he call her for? Her gaze drifted to the real Jackson Construction invoice lying on her desk. It felt like an elephant filling the room. Her breath hitched. He couldn’t possibly be calling her with more bad news.

He cleared his throat. “I saw you pull into the parking lot and just wanted to see how you were this morning.”

Her cheeks tightened as she pulled a full-blown smile. He’d called just to talk to her.

“I’m great.”

“You?”

“Couldn’t be better. Sorry, I have to go. Captain just walked in and he’s headed this way.”

“Okay. Bye.”

After stashing her purse in a desk drawer, she shrugged off her coat and sucked in a deep, cleansing breath to prep herself to deal with the Jackson Construction invoice. Her pulse pounded as she pulled out her chair and took a seat.

The invoice was a real one that still needed to be paid. The company foreman was in town today with his crew and he would be stopping by to pick up the check. She knew the man, not personally, but she’d seen him in City Hall before, so she felt a sense of relief that the check was going to be placed in good, legitimate hands.

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